How Israel's Iron Dome missile shield works

Some of the worst violence seen in years in Israel and Gaza has led to dramatic images of confrontation across the region's skies.

More than 3,000 rockets have been fired towards Israel by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in the past week.

But about 90% of the rockets have been intercepted by its flagship Iron Dome missile defence system, according to the Israeli military.

The Iron Dome was specially designed to protect against a range of incoming short-range threats.

The system has its roots in the war Israel fought with Lebanon's militant Hezbollah movement in 2006, when thousands of rockets were launched into Israel - causing huge damage, mass evacuations and dozens of deaths.

After that Israel said a new missile defence shield would be developed.